Who has a Triumph out there?

Greetings! I've just scored myself a Triumph headbadge on eBay, and subsequently begun generating an interest in Triumph bicycles. The headbadge is actually going to be installed on my On-One Il Pompino as a finishing touch, but I'd be very interested to see some pictures of Triumph bicycles or any tidbits of info about them. I've researched as much as I can online, are there any real life owners out there?

My first bicycle was a red 24"-wheeled Triumph, bought in England when we lived there (I was in primary school). When I bought my Raleigh road frame back in 1985, you could either get one branded Raleigh, or branded Triumph. I believe that they were actually the same frame; but I'm not sure. Did 'Triumph' sponsor any cycle racing teams, pro or junior, during that time? Mine's a nice frame, but not Professional quality -- I've often wondered if this frame (not sold as a complete bike) was produced for some lower-level racing activity; or maybe just for the wannabee (like me) market. Always was curious what the Triumph angle was.

I can provide a copy of the brochure from the bike store that was selling these, if you care to see it.

I have a black '71 Triumph 3 speed. I started a thread about it when I got it and I got a ton of info from some of the English 3-speed fiends on these forums, including Sheldon Brown. There are also plenty of pictures of Triumphs in there. Right now I'm working on cleaning and polishing all the bare metal bits to get her nice and shiny - once that's done I'll be sure to post some more photos.

Considering that I've owned a series of Triumph "motorcars" over the years, I probably should think about adding a Triumph bike to the collection.

Pics of the head badge?

As you've probably sumised, same company, at first. Bicycles from 1885, motorcycles from 1903, automobiles from (I think) 1921. The company was split and sold off in 1936, all three companies going to different owners, so it's kinda hard to say which is the 'original' company.

The motorcycle division, of course, is the only survivor - yes, the current Triumph company at Hinckey is a direct line descendant of the original company, not a repop of the old name by an unrelated outfit.

Now a properly rounded garage, in my eyes, would consist of a nice men's roadster, a T120R Bonneville, and a TR-6.

Syke

"No wonder we keep testing positive in their bicycle races. Everyone looks like they're full of testosterone when they're surrounded by Frenchmen." ---Argus Hamilton

My first 3 speed is a 1968 Triumph I found on the side of the road. It's rusty and ragged but like all Raleighs it runs like a dream.

Safety Nanny Checklist
1.Two headlights major brand 100+ Lumens plus helmet light2.Two tail-lights at minimum but really you need more3.Mirrors on helmet, handlebar and back of glove.4. Reflective vest and tape on every surface5.Disc and caliper brakes just in case6.Horn, bell and train whistle7.Chicken Little’s Phone# 8.Wear a helmet at all times (you might fall out of bed)Because it's scary out there!

Now a properly rounded garage, in my eyes, would consist of a nice men's roadster, a T120R Bonneville, and a TR-6.

I've got a buddy who races a '69 GT6+ in the vintage classes. I crew for him at some of his races and bought my Triumph bicycles to use for getting around the track areas on race weekends.

When I was in high school I had use of '67 T100C(500cc "scrambler") for a year. It belonged to another friend who went off to live in a commune. I really liked that bike and thought that I would like to have the 650cc version(TR6C). I have now revised my thinking and would rather have the road version(TR6R). I prefer the simplicity of the single carb over the dual carbs of the Bonneville. At my advanced age I don't care much about the lost bit of performance that the duals added.

Sweeeeeeeet!!!!!! I always thought the Triumphs in red were better looking than the Dunelts in either red or blue (this was before I started messing with motorcycles). Of course, our shop would get in 90% Dunelts.

Syke

"No wonder we keep testing positive in their bicycle races. Everyone looks like they're full of testosterone when they're surrounded by Frenchmen." ---Argus Hamilton

Robbie, that red Triumph is SO clean!!! My Dad had a red 10-speed racer that same colour back in about 1964 - all of his previous bikes had been black "sit up n' beg" single speeds or 3 speed hub bikes with rod brakes - and he had a 20 mile ride to & from work! At the time his red Triumph was just the coolest thing I'd ever seen (I was young!) Later in life I had a Triumph Bonneville 650 for a very short time and recently I've ridden pillion on my mate's Daytona 900. Never impressed by the Spitfire although the GT6 version, TR4A, Stag with V8 and TR6 have always received my admiration. Overall though, their bicycles are best!

Oldpeddaller - The older I get, the better I used to be !!!" ***** If at first you don't succeed - hit it with a hammer.

I got it today from a retired man who advertised it as a Raleigh 10-speed. We had a nice chat. He also had a bright red '47 Ford pickup rodded out. The chain, FD and RD were greased, not oiled. There is no rust on the frame, just light rust on some of the chrome parts, and a bit of grime from sitting.

I'd seen a couple of references to Triumph's as far as bikes, had never seen one until this morning. I owned a Tiger 750 (twin) and had friends with a TR6 and a TR4A, wasn't aware of the bikes.

I'm pleasantly surprised, and found some ivory bar wrap, which I can shellac to make honey leather-look. Then I'd like to find a Brooks look-alike, sand it, shellac it to match, and maybe look, at least, like a vintage Brit. Maybe I'll get a brim and some knickers.

Hey - my wife (and when I say my wife - I mean I) has two of them that she rides quite often. One is a red 3 speed that I got out of the garbage that is in really great condition and the other is a blue 10 speed that I fixed up for her to ride to the y and back - that one cost me $5 at a garage sale and came with a good condition Wrights leather saddle. The rest of the ten speed was in rough shape, but the frame was still decent. I have looked for info on the ten speeds, but never could find any info. The color scheme, lugs, etc. all remind me of a Raleigh Grand Prix...

I got it today from a retired man who advertised it as a Raleigh 10-speed. We had a nice chat. He also had a bright red '47 Ford pickup rodded out. The chain, FD and RD were greased, not oiled. There is no rust on the frame, just light rust on some of the chrome parts, and a bit of grime from sitting.

I'd seen a couple of references to Triumph's as far as bikes, had never seen one until this morning. I owned a Tiger 750 (twin) and had friends with a TR6 and a TR4A, wasn't aware of the bikes.

I'm pleasantly surprised, and found some ivory bar wrap, which I can shellac to make honey leather-look. Then I'd like to find a Brooks look-alike, sand it, shellac it to match, and maybe look, at least, like a vintage Brit. Maybe I'll get a brim and some knickers.

That looks like a beauty to add to your collection!

My Triumph mostly sits unused, but after I move this spring, I'll be close enough to work to commute on the 3-speed in true Brit fashion, most likely with a herringbone or houndstooth cap of some sort.

The rest of the ten speed was in rough shape, but the frame was still decent. I have looked for info on the ten speeds, but never could find any info. The color scheme, lugs, etc. all remind me of a Raleigh Grand Prix...

The ten speeds were kind of an odd lot. We got a few of them in the shop, but not often. First off, they were all Triumphs, I never saw a Dunelt frame kitted out that way. I'm fairly certain they were Raleigh Record frames (the lugs were identical, at least) but with cheaper brakes. I seem to remember they were the stamped steel sidepulls from the roadsters. Cheaper hubs too, Huret Allvit drivetrain like the Record.

Never saw that model listed in a catalog or advertising flyer. It was almost like they were put out by accident, or that Raleigh didn't know what was going on. Can't even remember the price although a Record sold for $100.00, I'm fairly certain they were priced in the low nineties.

Syke

"No wonder we keep testing positive in their bicycle races. Everyone looks like they're full of testosterone when they're surrounded by Frenchmen." ---Argus Hamilton

Syke-
You are right on in describing my 10 speed - stamped brakes and levers, Huret drivetrain, cheap/weird hubs - rear one is especially strange... At first I thought it was a flip-flop, but it isn't threaded, it has concentric rings on it and sticks out like it should have been a flip-flop (I know not a great description)...

Good eye! I think the "C" was the one with the pipes together on one side and higher up, right? Kind of the enduro model. Mine was just the regular T100. I totaled it (and my shoulder) one dark night in the Montecito hills.